In 2003, besties Robert “RR” Rodriguez and Quentin “QT” Tarantino hang out together watching double-features with trailers before and after the films. One night at QT’s house, RR saw a double-feature poster for “Dragstrip Girl” and Rock All Night.” RR got an idea, he asked QT if he’s not busy making another film after “Kill Bill.” A collaboration of the pair working on their own separate film and release them together. Quentin replied back, “And we’ve got to call it “Grindhouse.”
What’s Grindhouse? A movie theater shows low-budget B-movies containing sex, violence and surreal elements targeted for mature audiences. It’s like a double-album as in OutKast’s “Speakerboxx/The Love Below.”
Released in 2007, (same year Code Lyoko’s final season aired on Cartoon Network) Grindhouse earned positive reviews from critics and movie goers alike. Despite praise it didn’t recoup expenses at the box office. Grindhouse later earned revenue in the DVD market. RR’s latest film, “Spy Kids: Armageddon” is streaming on Netflix. QT’s tenth and final film, “The Movie Critic” is currently in development. As of October 2023, no release date has been confirmed.
Before QT’s upcoming last hurrah comes out, I wanna share my thoughts on my favorite double-feature. I prefer Grindhouse over “The Adventures of Ichabod Crane & Mr. Toad.” Why? Because Planet Terror & Death Proof are connected with each other and they’re full-length films.
For the first time, this article is a double review. Both, Planet Terror & Death Proof’s pros and cons are listed separately.
Both films contain no SPOILERS. Before you watch the films, fake trailers pay tribute to the old school B-Movies from the 60s-70s. Here’s a list.
- Machete – RR directs the trailer with Danny Trejo as the titular character. It became a reality in 2010 and a sequel, “Machete Kills” came out three years later.
- Werewolf Women of the SS – Taking a break from filming the “Halloween” remake, Rob Zombie directs the trailer with Nicolas Cage.
- Don’t – Edgar Wright directs the trailer in the style of Hammer Horror Films.
- Thanksgiving – Eli Roth directs this trailer as a throwback to slasher films set during a specific holiday. Now a full-fledged film with Eli himself sitting in the director’s chair.
- Hobo with a Shotgun – It became an actual film starring the late Rutger Hauer.
Planet Terror
Healthy: Rose McGowan, Freddy Rodriguez, Josh Brolin, Michael Biehn, Tom Savini & Bruce Willis all did an excellent job for their respective performances.
RR did a great job directing. He also wrote the script, orchestrated the soundtrack, shot and edited the film. Like John Carpenter, he’s a one-man crew. Both, RR & Quentin “QT” Tarantino co-produced it.
QT has a small role as an infected soldier.
Michael Parks reprises his role as Earl McGraw. He appeared in “From Dusk Til Dawn” & Kill Bill.
Action Sequences are over-the-top leaving a bloody mess on the floor. Cherry’s machine gun cranks the action “Up to 11.”
Practical Effects were heavily involved. C.G.I. was used sparingly.
Cinematography didn’t have any technical issues.
Somebody mentioned Chris Rock. Speaking of which, Chris directed and starred in “I Think I Love My Wife” around the same time Grindhouse came out.
Prosthetic Makeup transformed extras into zombies. As they mutate, they become grotesque. Kinda predates the Clickers from “The Last of Us.”
Pacing didn’t feel slow or fast. Felt stable.
RR added a digital filter giving the film an old school look.
Fergie makes a brief appearance.
A radio station mentioned Jungle Julia. She appeared in Death Proof. Meaning, both films are connected.
Sick: I couldn’t find nothing wrong. I’m giving RR an Extra Point for making a flawless film as possible.
The Final Verdict: A, FOR APEX!
Death Proof
Full: Kurt Russell did an excellent job for his performance as Stuntman Mike.
Other Cast Members such as Rosario Dawson, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Zoë Bell (as herself) & Rose McGowan (playing a different character) all did an excellent job for their respective performances.
Fun Fact: Rosario & Mary later appear in “Ahsoka” on Disney Plus.
QT did a great job directing. He also wrote the script. Both, QT & RR produced the film. QT also appears as a different character named, Warren.
Unlike Planet Terror, Death Proof retains QT’s trademarks including pop culture references, dark humor and a lot of dialogue. Unlike Planet Terror, Death Proof heavily relies on dialogue.
The Humor has more comedy than those stinkers from 2007.
- Epic Movie
- Music and Lyrics
- I Think I Love My Wife
- Firehouse Dog
- Alvin and the Chipmunks
- Georgia Rule
- No Reservations
- Bratz
- Good Luck Chuck
- When Did I Get Married?
- The Comebacks
- Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium
- Bee Movie
- Shrek the Third
- Norbit
- Evan Almighty
- Meet the Robinsons
Death Scenes are over-the-top.
Pacing didn’t feel like a drab.
Cinematography was shot carefully.
The lap dance scene inspired Iggy Azalea’s music video “Work.”
Rather than digitally inserting scratch marks, QT physically scratched every frame. He prefers shooting on film.
When Stuntman Mike crashes a car, a Wilhelm Scream is heard.
Eli Roth appears as a customer at a bar hanging out with Julia and her friends.
Michael Parks reprises his role as Earl McGraw. Death Proof takes place before Planet Terror.
Empty: One character’s missing towards the end.
The Final Verdict: A-
Planet Terror & Death Proof are both great in their own merit. Grindhouse is my favorite double-feature film. It’s best to watch RR & QT’s aforementioned films alongside fake trailers. Definitely a must-see. I cannot wait for QT’s final film The Movie Critic.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 